Slidably mounted lamp actuator and housing



Jan. 2, 1951 J. DlVlZlA 2,536,799

SLIDABLY MOUNTED LAMP ACTUATOR AND HOUSING Filed Feb. 26, 1948 Snventor Wdlfik%- 4m v attorney Patented Jan. 2, 1951 SLIDABLY MOUNTED LAMP ACTUATOR AND HOUSING Joseph Divizia, Alhambra, CaliL, assignor to Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation, San Diego, Caliifi, a corporation of Delaware Application February 26, 1948, Serial No. 11,162

5 Claims. (Cl. 240-735) This invention relates to lighting apparatus and more particularly to a lighting device that is directionally controllable.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved form of lighting device having a novel construction which permits ready directional control of the light rays emanating therefrom.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of an improved, readily operated and directionally controllable lighting device which is particularly adapted for use in a vehicle where the lighting requirements of the individual passengers occupying that venicle may diner, and where it is desirable that the lighting means for satisfying his particular needs be placed under the direct control of the individual.

a still further object or" the invention lies in providing an improved lighting device having a simple and economical construction and which eillcient in operation.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following specification and appended drawings wherein is illustrated a preferred form oi the invention, and in which:

Figure l is a diagrammatic transverse section of passenger cabin of an aircraft employing lighting devices embodying the present inven= tion;

Figui? 2 is a top plan view oi the lighting de vice;

ure 3 is an elevational view of the lighting i l sectional vi w, enlarged, according to the in= e present invention is shown illustrated in use .n a vehicle which, merely the sake of illustration, is here understood to be an aircraft. Having reference now particularly to Figure i there is shown a portion of an air cabin passenger compartment indicated generalh by the numeral it and shown here as comprising an arcuate wall ii, although it is understood that the particular wall shape has no hearing on the invention. Forming the rear wall of the cabin compartment it is a bulkhead it having a centrally located doorway it provided therein for ingress to this compartment. Lo cated in the passenger compartment It is a plurality of seats arranged transversely of the cabin and in longitudinal rows, with the rows consisting of pairs of seats, the individual seats in a pair being indicated generally at it and I6. and

with each pair of seats being located to one side of a central aisle which is in line with the doorway !4. Extending over the seats l5 and I6 is a shelf-like member H which may serve for stowage of minor baggage and which also serves to mount the lighting devices 48 of the present invention in desired positions.

As shown the lighting devices it are arranged in airs and lie disposed in a recess 2i provided in shelf-like member ii. The interior end 22 of each lighting device 18 extends into a longitudinally extending trough or ventilating passage 23 which runs the length of the cabin. The air passing through the trough 23 serves to cool the lighting device 38, as will be more fully discussed hereinafter. The source of ventilating air and the connection therefrom to the trough 22 are not shown as their particular construction or arrangement form no part of the invention.

The lighting device it, as best illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and l, comprises a main body portion or housing 2 2, which housing 2 3 embodies a substantially spherical or ball portion 25 having integral therewith and extending therefrom a cylindrical or collar-like portion Extending axially through the housing 2% is a continuous here or passage it.

Mounted for axial movement within bore ill extending the full length thereof and projecting at both of ends, beyond the housing it, as shown in the drawings, is elon ated lampsupgoor ing and actuating member The ac tuating member includes, as compon n'ts thereof, a metal ic W i lay member 32,

drica member ormed of disnosed adjacent 1. ember l tl" rewith and secured the n a pair oi studs and which studs e through openings provided in member Si and are to coded into the upper end of the defining wall of member 32; and a metallic tubular n "mber which is secured to the lower end 0 insulating member the engagement between these two members being effected by appropriate cooperating threads 3? provided on the members. The tubular member 36 at its lower end is provided with an outwardly flared portion 353 which lies disposed exteriorly of the housing 24 and is adapted to be grasped readily to effect rectilinear or longitudinal movement of actuating member 28 within bore 2? and to swing or rotate housing 24 on rim mounting for a purpose to be described.

The upper cylindrical member 3i has an opening M provided in its outer face 42, which opening leads to a recess 43, which is of greater diameter than opening (it. Opening into recess 33 is a bore cc provided in insulating member 32; this latter bore til further connects, at its lower end, to a bore 55 provided by the lower tubular member 36. Through this described system of bores and openings a continuous passage is effected through actuating member 23.

Fitted into recess 63 of cylindrical member 36 and extending therefrom into bore M of insulating member 32 is a socket element 66. A peripheral ridge 4?, pressed out of the circular walls of the socket a3, is adapted to be received within an internal circular groove it defined and formed by the wall surfaces of upper member 3i and insulating member 32 at the point at which they abut. With the ridge M disposed in the circular groove 48 and member 3i secured to insulating member 32 by the studs 33 and 35 it is readily apparent that the socket 56 will be securely held in place.

A cable 50 extends first through an insulating collar closely fitted in opening M in upper member 3i and then through an aligned opening in socket 66 to a position within the socket and terminates in a contact 52. A compression spring 53 is disposed within socket 36, having one end resting on a first insulating washer 541 and the opposite end against a second insulating washer 55, which bears against contact 52, whereby the compression spring 53 exerts its bias to yieldably urge the contact 52 into engagement with a lamp contact 56 provided in the base 51 of an incandescent lamp 58. Pins 59 carried by lamp base 57 are adapted to fit into bayonet slots 6!] formed in socket it to secure the lamp 53 to the socket.

Formed in the collar-like portion 26 of housing 2d are two openings 6! and 62, diametrically located. These openings are provided to receive projections 63 and 55 formed on the legs 65 and $6 of a generally U-shaped contact element El. The contact element 6'? is formed of a resilient metal, such as spring steel, whereby the legs 65 and 56 are always biased toward one another. Projections 58 and 66, provided by these legs, normally will be forced into their respective cooperating openings 5! and 52 under the inherent resiliency of legs 65 and $6 to securely mount the contact element ti upon collar 26. The projections 63 and cc extending through openings 6! and 62 are adapted to locate, selectively, within a pair of spaced peripheral grooves it and i2. Groove H is formed in the exterior surface of insulating member 32 and cooperates with projections 63 and til to releasably maintain the actuating member 28 in its upper position, as shown in Figure 4, which is Light Off position. Groove 72 formed in the exterior surface of metallic member 3! is also adapted to receive the yieldable projections 63 and 68 which occurs when actuating member 28 is manually moved to the dotted line position of Figure 4, which is Light On position. When the projections 63 and 64 engage metallic member tn the socket 55 is grounded through the skin or wall of the airplane by way of the metallic member 3!, projections 63 and E8 of contact member 81, and housing 24. With the grounding of socket t6 the lighting circuit is completed so that lamp 58 will light and the light rays therefrom will pass through bore 35 to the exterior of the lighting device it.

A sealing ring 70 formed of any suitable material, such as felt, is fitted within a peripheral groove formed in the exterior wall of insulating member 32 to prevent the leakage of air pass actuating member 28 and so cause an unpleasant Whistling noise.

Located substantially midway of actuating member 28 and formed in insulating member 32 is a recess i3 into which extends the end of a stop screw i l, the remainder of which is movably disposed in a threaded bore 15 provided in ball portion 25 of housing 23. This screw end is adapted to engage with the vertically spaced upper and lower defining wall surfaces of recess 13, on telescoping movement of the actuating member 28 within main housing'bore 27, to limit the amount of inward and outward movement that may be provided actuating member 28.

As indicated in the drawings, the housing 2*: of the lighting device it extends into and through an annular aperture it provided in the base 7% of the air trough 23. To mount housing 2&1 in position there is provided a socket member 77. The socket member ll comprises an annular mounting member 18 having an out-turned flange 8! which is riveted, as by rivets 80, or otherwise rigidly secured, to the base IQ of trough 23. The mounting member 13 is recessed as at 82 to provide an annular wall portion 83, which wall portion is exteriorly threaded to mount a cap element 843. The cap element 8% comprises a generally cup-shaped portion 85 having a base 86, annular walls 87, an outwardly extending peripheral flange 88, and an upwardly bent flange 89. Cap element 8%, as seen from the drawings, when threaded onto mounting member 78- completely encloses the latter to effect a lighting unit having a particularly clean appearance.

The mounting member 78 is provided with an annular opening 9! in its base into which the ball portion 25 of housing 25 extends. A second annular opening s2 is provided in base 88 of cap element 86 and in alignment with opening 93. The wall surfaces defining the openings ill and 92 are of generally arcuate conformation to conform to the exterior surface of ball portion 25, and cooperate to provide a seat for this ball portion whereby the housing 26 is mounted for universal movement to provide for effective directional control of the light rays emitting from the lighting device 58. Thus the support efiected by socket member ll permits the housing 2 1 to be pivotally or swingingly moved and to be rotated about its longitudinal axis as desired.

A felt seal 93 is disposed in recess 82 of mounting member 18 and encircles the ball portion 25 of housing 2d, substantially about its central portion, and serves to prevent leakage of air therearound and into the cabin compartment.

To operate the lighting unit 58 a passenger need only grasp the outer flared end 38 of actuating or light operating member 28 and pull it downwardly and outwardly from its housing 2:3. This will cause projections 63 and 66 of contact member 67 to be forced out of groove H in the insulating member 32 and to snap into groove 72 in metallic member 3!, as this groove aligns with openings 61 and E2, to complete the electrical circuit and cause lamp 58 to light. The housing 2 3 may then be swung in its socket 77 to a position wherein the light rays from lighting device is will fall upon a desired location.

One lighting device i8 is associated with each seat and is adapted to efiiciently service that seat. Providing each seat with a lighting unit It enables each passenger to service primarily his own particular seating area and with a minimum of interference with the lighting requirements and desires of the passenger in the adjoining seat.

It has been found that the air in the trough 23 in passing by the inner end 22 of the lighting unit I! will carry away sumcient ot the heat developed by lamp 58 to enable a passenger to freely handle the actuating member 28 without burning his hand. Further the construction of lighting device I8 is such that leakage of air therethrough is substantially completely eliminated so that no objectionable air noises are created.

An advantage of the present invention when utilized in a vehicle lies in the fact that the stewardess or attendant can immediately determine by a glance which of the various lighting units in the cabin have been left on by a passenger after the airplane has discharged its passengers, for only those devices are on which have the actuating member thereof in extended position. The attendant may then push those particular actuating members 28, which are extended, into their respective housings and prepare such units for use by succeeding occupants.

With the construction described the replacement of a burned out lamp is a relatively simple matter. With the actuating member 28 extended the lower member 36 is unscrewed from its engagement with insulating member 32. This will expose the lamp and permit it to be grasped and removed and a replacement inserted.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically disclosed, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto as many variations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is to be given its broadest possible interpretation within the terms oi the following claims.

1' claim:

l. A lamp supporting and operating structure comprising a body portion having an axially ex tending bore therethrough, means for supporting said body portion for pivotal movement, an electric circuit controlling device slidably mounteel within said bore and adapted to be moved longitudinally therein, said electric circuit controlling device comprising a tubular member open at its ends, a generally cylindrical insulating member secured at one end to said tubular member and a metallic generally cylindrical morn n secured to the opposite end or the insulating member, said insulating member having axial bore therethrough in communication an op in said metallic generally cyal rel vvith the passage through an electrical socket carried thin insulating and seated against metallic cylindrical member and adapted to hold a lamp so that light rays there-- 1 will issue from the tubular member to the exterior through its open end, contact means carried by said body portion adapted to be en= gaged by said metallic cylindrical member on longitudinal. movement or" said electric circuit controlling device relative to the body portion to complete an electric circuit to said electrical socket, and means on said tubular member for eii'ecting said longitudinal movement of said electric circuit controlling device and for pivotaliy moving said body portion on its suppcrtng means for directing the light rays issuing through the open end of said tubular member.

2. A lamp supporting and operating structure comprising a body portion having a bore extill tending therethrough, an electric circuit controlling device slidably mounted within said bore and adapted to be moved longitudinally therein, said electric circuit controlling device comprising a tubular member open at its ends, a generally cylindrical insulating member secured at one end of said tubular member and a metallic generally cylindrical member secured to the opposite end of the insulating member, said insulating member having an axial bore therethrough in communication with an opening in said metallic generally cylindrical member and with the passage through said tubular member, an electrical socket carried within said insulating member and seated against said metallic cylindrical member and adapted to hold a lamp so that light rays therefrom will issue from the tubular member to the exterior through its open end, and a resilient contact element supported by said body portion to be positioned exteriorly of said electric circuit controlling device and adapted to extend through said body portion normally to engage said insulating member, and adapted to be engaged by said metallic cylindrical member on longitudinally movement of said electric circuit controlling device relative to the body portion to complete an electric circuit to said electrical socket.

3. A lamp supporting and operating structure comprising a body portion having a bore extending therethrough, an electric circuit controlling device slidably mounted for axial movement within said bore, said electric circuit controlling (18- vice comprising a tubular member open at its ends, a generally cylindrical insulating member secured at one end to said tubular member and a metallic generally cylindrical member secured to the opposite end of the insulating member, said insulating member having a bore therethrough in communication with an opening in said. metallic generally cylindrical member and with the passage through said tubular member, mounting means positioned within said insulating member for holding a lamp whereby light rays are adapted to issue from the tubular memher through its open end, said mounting means being arranged for electrical connection to said metallic cylindrical member, and a generally U shaped contact element supported by said body portion to be positione exteriorly or said elec trio circuit controlling device, said ii-shaped con= tact element comprising a pair of resilient arms,

resilient arms having portions thereof aelr ed to extend throu 1 up 1 ortion i161:

L incur y movement or said electric circuit controlling device relative to-the body portion to complete an electric cir cult to said lamp mounting means.

4. A lamp supporting and operating s ructure comprising a body portion having a bore extend ing therethrcugh, said body portion embodying a substantially spherical portion from which on tends a collar portion, supporting means provid= ing a seat for aid substantially spherical por-- tion for mounting it for universal movement, an electric circuit controlling device slidably mounted within said bore and adapted to be moved axially therein, said electric circuit controlling device comprising a tubular member open at its ends, a generally cylindrical insulating member secured at one end to said tubular member and a metallic generally cylindrical member secured to the opposite end of the insulating member,

said insulating member having an axial bore therethrough in communication with an p 111g in said metallic generally cylindrical member and with the passage through said tubular member, an electrical socket carried within said insulating member electrically connected to said metallic cylindrical member and adapted to hold a lamp so that light rays therefrom will issue from the tubular member to the exterior through its open end, and a generally U-shaped contact element supported by said collar on said body portion and comprising a pair of resilient arms, said arms having portions thereof adapted to extend through openings in the collar normally to engage said insulating member and adapted to be engaged by said metallic cylindrical member on axial movement of said electric circuit controlling device relative to the body portion to complete an electric circuit to said electrical socket, and means on said tubular member for effecting said axial movement of said electric circuit controlling device and for moving said body portion on its supporting means for directing the light rays issuing through the open end of said tubular member.

5. A lamp supporting and operating structure comprising a body portion having an axially extending bore therethrough, said body portion embodying a substantially spherical portion from which extends a collar portion, means providing a seat for said substantially spherical portion for mounting it for universal movement, an electric circuit controlling device slidably mounted within said bore and adapted to be moved longitudinally therein, said electric circuit controlling device comprising a tubular member open at its ends, a generally cylindrical insulating member secured at one end to said tubular member and a metallic generally cylindrical member secured to the opposite end of the insulating memher, said insulating member having an axial bore therethrough in communication with an opening in said metallic generally cylindrical member and with the passage through said tubular member, an electrical socket carried within said insulatne ate-e member and seated against said metallic or lindrical member and adapted to hold a lamp so that light rays therefrom will issue from the tubular member to the exterior through its open end, and a generally U-shaped resilient contact element supported by said collar of said body portion to be positioned exteriorly of said elec= tric circuit controlling device, said U-shaped contact element comprising a pair of resilient arms, said arms having portions thereof adapted to extend through openings in said collar normally to lie within a peripheral groove in said insulatin member, and adapted to be disposed in a second peripheral groove provided in said metallic cylindrical member on longitudinal movement of said electric circuit controlling device relative to the body portion to complete an electric circuit to said electrical socketpsaid tubular member having a portion thereof disposed exteriorly of said body portion adapted to efiect longitudinal movement of said electric circuit controlling device and for pivotally moving said body portion on its supporting means. for directing the light rays issuing through the open end of said tubular member.

JOSHH DIVIZIA.

REFERENQES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PA'IWTS Number Name Date 845,236 Hewlett et a1 Feb. 26, 1907 1,118,699 Stupar Nov. 24, 1914 1,169,099 Wilcox et al Jan. 18, 1916 1,417,925 Kuen May 30, 3.922 1,479,520 Terbeck Jan. 1, 1924 1,615,067 Boerman Jan. 18, 1927 1,672,665 Dobrick June 5, 1626 1,687,877 ii/ioorhouse 0st. 16, 1928 1,762,509 Edmonds June 10, 1930 1,778,166 Douglas Oct. 14, 1930 2,260,588 Smith Oct. 28, 19 ,11 

